OVIEDO, Fla. – The dean of Hagerty High School was arrested on charges of soliciting prostitution.
William Gierke, 35, is on paid administrative leave since his arrest, according to Seminole County Public Schools.
Gierke was arrested by Orlando Police Department on Wednesday night after police say he solicited a prostitute on a website, but was communicating with an undercover officer.
SCPS official Michael Lawrence said he was contacted about Gierke's arrest at 7:30 a.m. Thursday.
Gierke is charged with enter/remaining in place for prostitution and prostitution or lewdness, according to Orange County court records.
Students tell Local 6 the news of Gierke's arrest spread quickly through social media.
Gierke started at Hagerty High School in June 2005, became teacher in July 2005 and became dean in February 2014, officials said. He was a football coach at Hagerty for 8 years and a wrestling coach for 7 years.
Officials said they had no prior issues with Gierke. If he is found guilty, officials said Gierke will be suspended without pay and the next step would be recommendation of termination.
Gierke's arrest marks the third arrest of a Hagerty faculty member in the last 18 months. Exceptional Student Education teacher Michael Scott Fitzwater, 40, was arrested on one count of unlawful sexual contact with a minor in September.
Teacher's aide William Nordin, who supervised virtual courses, oversaw in-school suspensions and coached football, was arrested on sexual assault charges in May.
Check back for more on this story.